Apparatus for pressing shirts and the like



March 7,1944. L D, RSE 2,343,289

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE vFiled oct. s, 1940 5sheets-sheet 1 March 7,'11944v H. D. FQRSE 2,343,289

l I APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE Filed oct. rs,v 1940 5sheets-sheet 2 'P La.; 50 72 30 3l 20 ala IIHII mvmron HHK/v 7. fama.

March 7, vM D FQRSE APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE Filed061:. 3, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 7,1944. H, -QRSE 2,343,289

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE -Filed Oct. 3, 1940 5Sheets-Sheet 4 March 1,1944. Q H, FRSE 2,343,289

APPARATUS FOR PRESS'ING SHIRTS AND THE LIKE Filed Occn,y 3, 1940 5Sheets-Sheet V Patented Mar. 7, 1944 v l UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs2,343,289 APrAaA'rUs Foa mesmo sma'rs AND Hwy n. Fone, Anderson, ma.Appuoatmn october s, 1940, serial 10.359525 si claims, (ci. 223-51) Thisinvention relates more particularly to a shirt and similar garment typepress.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide a press for thepressing of wearing apparel such as shirts and the like whereby the unittime per shirt may be materially reduced and to approximately one-halfthat now required for pressing shirts. This reduction is obtained byreducing the number of operations and combining some of the operationswhereby they are automatically eiected in succession for each handlingof the article.

Another chief object of thev invention is to reduce the investment costof shirt pressing machinery -by so arranging the parts of .the presentinvention so that a single machine now is arranged to duplicate thefunctions of from two to six machines now utilized in the shirt pressingart and the operating area is correspondingly reduced.

Another object of this invention is to require a smaller number ofoperators for ironing of shirts.

The present invention, as illustrated and hereinafter described, is asingle machine arranged to accommodate and press an entire short exceptthat portion of the sleeve from the gusset to the shoulder; and forpressing of that portion of the shirt, asleeve former machine well knownin the laundry industry is utilized, wherefore, a further object of theinvention is to provide an improved v'I'he chief feature of the presentinvention relates to a multiple buck and head arrangement whereby onebuck and head when in associated and pressing relation is-adapted forpressing part of the shirt and the other bucks and heads, indisassociated relation, permit the operator, during the pressinginterval required for pressing by the first mentioned buck and head, toproperly position other shirt portions with said other bucks and headsfor subsequent pressing thereby. During this latter interval theoperator can remove the previously pressed portion of the shirt from thefirst mentioned bu'ck, etc., as hereinafter set forth.

This invention further is characterized by the successive pressingoperations being automatically actuated for sequential operation, thelatter operation being of multiple character so that the collar and thecuffs, including the4 gussets, are pressed simultaneously.

One feature of the invention is a bypass exhaust arrangement whereby thespeed of press operation is materially increased.

Another feature consists in the form and construction of the bodynnishing buck.

Another'feature of the invention consists in the peculiar constructionand operation of the collar and/or the cuil and gusset buck and headstruc ture. v

vAnother feature of the invention relates to the automatic and quickaction control included in the press for supplying a pressure mediumthereto and relieving such pressure from the several inflatable portionsof the press.

A further feature of the invention is in the quick detachable cui! andgusset clamp associated with the cuff and gusset iniiatable bag buck.

A further feature of the invention consists in associating a buck andhead structure for axial telescopic association with the garment thereinin an enveloping relation.l

- Another feature of the invention is the use of auxiliary cuil.'pressing bucks for the pressing of the so-called French or double cuffsand for very small cuii's and gussets that do-not permit finishing onthe tubular bucks.

Another feature consists of an arrangement whereby the operator caneasily and quickly change air connection from tubular cuff bucks to theabove mentioned auxiliary French cui! bucks depending on type of garmentbeing iinished.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings, the following description and claims:

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view with parts of the housing removed ofthe'invention showing the body press in opened relation and the multiplepress arrangement in pressing position, the

treadle for iiuid pressure control of the latter being shown innon-controlling position and the .handle control of the press beingshown in the upper position.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar view of the aforesaid except that the bodypress is shown in pressing position and the multiple press is shown innon-pressing or extended relation, the handle control being shown in thelowered or down position, the treadle being shown in the non-controllingposition, the dotted lines of the handle structure indicating the upperportion thereof and the dotted lines of the foot treadle indicating theactuating position thereof, parts of the body press being broken away toshow the same in transverse section and parts of the multiple pressarrangement being broken away to show a portion of the latter inlongitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of the Vpressillustrating more particularly the relationship of the several pressingarrangements of the multiple press arrangement.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the collar press of the latter,parts being broken away to show the same and other parts in transversesection.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged londitudinal sectional view of the collar pressportion of the multiple press arrangement showing the parts in extendedor non-pressing position. y

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view ofthe inilating iluid pressure supply andselective control to the ymultiple press arrangement. v

Fig. 'I is a perspective view of a conventional cuil' applied to thecuil buck and a clip anchorage therebetween. A

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of a modiiied form of conventionalcui! clip type anchorage and the associated portion of the cui! buck.Fig. 9 is a perspective view ci' the body'buck with two shirts laidtail'to tail. a body carried shirt clamping clip, and an associatedcollar supporting portion carried by said buck and the control mechanismfor that portion. f

Fig. 10 isa front elevation of the latter arrangement.

Fig. l1 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and of a portion of a modified formof the invention including snubbers and a full automatic arrangement.

Fig. 12 is la side elevation of an air control for the body buckinilatable portions, the dotted lines corresponding to open pressposition, the full lines representing closed press and air supplyposition, other dotted lines indicated the deilating position.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of a cuff buck protector arrangementand, for simplicity, the cuil anchoring means shown in Fig. '1 or 8 haveintentionally been omitted.

In the drawings, there is illustrated a simple, compact, shirt pressingunit upon which all shirt pressing operations can .be e'ccted exceptthat commonly called sleeving," the latter usually being effected bysliding the sleeve upon a heated metallic cone about three feet or so inlength.

The present invention includes, see Fig. 1, a base from which extendsupwardly supporting portions as hereinafterpointed out. Pivoted at 2i onthe base or portions carried by the base is aT ick support- 22.Pivotally supported a't 23 is a iluid pressure cylinder 24 having piston25 therein carried by rod 25 pivotally connected :at 21 to support 22. Aportion oi'v the.base frame structure 28 adjustably supports tensionspring 29 connected therefore movable with support 22.

The spring 29 normally tends to position the body buck B, carried by thesupport 22, in nonpressing position. When pressure is applied to thebottom end of cylinder 24, the piston moves upward and the support 22moves clockwise, arm 3| extending spring 29, andthe body buck B is thuspositioned in pressing position.

A complementary pressing head H is adjustably supported as at -22 uponan oarm structure L22 pivoted at 34 upon upward extensions 20B of theframe. Arm 33 is extended at 'I5 and adjustably connected at 3B, is atension spring 31, the lower end of which is anchored at 39 to a framemember. As shown in Fig.` 2, member 25 is a stop limiting clockwisetilting of buck support structure 22. u

Pivotally supported` at 39 upon the trame or base structure is anotherfluid pressure operable structure including cylinder 40 lwithin whichis? piston 4| carried by Vrod '42 pivoted to arm 42 at 44. Said arm 43is pivoted upon portion 20h of the frame at 45 and projects forwardlytherexrom and is pivotally connectedat 48 to a link 41 inturn similarlyconnected at 48 to an arm 49 pivoted at one end at before-mentioned.

' The forward end of the arm 49 is connected at 55 at 30 to arm 2icarried by rock shaft 2l and The spring 31 normally constrains the arm2l downwardly orin a counter-clockwise direction on pivot' 24, the sametending to elevate the head structure H and if not otherwise opposed,the

lhead will be positioned in the open position, as

shown in Fig. 1. The application of pressure to the lower end ofcylinder 40 causes the piston 4I to elevate which elevates the 4pistonrod '42, in

turn elevating the arm 43 or rather tilting the same counter-clockwise.This tilting is applied through the link 41 to the arm 49. Thus, it willbe noted that the head structure H generally' is caused to move from theposition shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 in oppositionto the tension constraint imposed by spring 21. The head and buckstructures are positioned in open relation in Fig. 1. They arepositioned in closed or pressing relation in Fig. 2.

I Pivotally supported at 52 is an arm structure 53 which extendsforwardly and upwardly and terminates in a handle arrangement generallyindicated by the numeral 54, the same being positioned forwardly withrelation to the head structure H.

Carried by the arm 35 is a valve structure V. An air pressure supplyline 55, see Figs. l and 2 and the lower right-hand portions thereof, isconnected to a T-member 55a. One branch is connected by a flexible hose56150 the valve structure V at 51. This is the power supply to the twopower cylinders 24 and 40. When the handle structure 54--53 isdepressed, the adjustable abutment 58 engages stem 59 of an intake valvein a chamber inthe valve structure V. This intake valve controlscommunication to the outlet 60, in turn connected by the flexible hose6I to a T-connectlon 62. The same is shown immediately above T-55 inFigs. 1 and 2. A exible hose 53 is connected to said T-connection 62 andat 64 leads to the lower end of cylinder 24.

Y When valve 59 is depressed to open the supply line, pressure isapplied to the cylinder 24 and piston 25 elevates, as previouslydescribed, until such time as said piston 25 uncovers a port in saidcylinder 24,l which port leads to the connection B5. A flexible hose 66connected thereto at one end is connected at its opposite end to T-member 61 immediately to the left of the T42. A ilexible pipe portion'tfrom said T-1 leads to the lower end of the cylinder 40. Thus, when thepiston 25 uncovers the port in the cylinder 24 providing 'communicationfrom the cylinder to the conduit 66, pressure is then applied to thecylinder 4i. This is a timingl arrangement insuring that the buck B iscaused to be moved clockwise under pressure before the head H is causedto be moved downwardly and counter-clockwise. Continued applicationofpressure positions the buck B as shown in Fig. 2. v This position. asstated, is limited by the end Ila oi arm Si movable with the supportstructure 22, as shown in Fig. 2. Continued application of pressurethereafter merely passes through the cylinder 2l and continuesapplication of pressure to piston 4i in cylinder 40, finally loweringthe head H in operative and pressing relation with respectv to the buckB as shown in Fig. 2.

Connecting the T42 and T41 is a check valve @9. This check valveprevents the application oi pressure directly from T-iixture t2 toT-fixture 61, but insures substantial equalization of pressure appliedto both cylinders 2l and 4I. When the handle Si is actuated by beingelevated, the intake valve controlled by stem 59 ele' fates and cutsoil' the application of pressure. The adjustable abutment carried by thehan.- die control structure engages the stem 1i of a valve which isnormally closed and is associated with the interior chamber in the valveV so that the pressure between the intake valve, controlled by stem 59,and the several cylinders, is released through the muiller 12 connectedto said valve structure V. When this pressure is released, gravityacting on the buck B and assisted by the spring 29 and the force ofspring I1 acting on the head structure support arrangement causes thepress 'to'open and the air previously in the power cylinders escapesthrough the muiiier 12.

It will be appreciated that if the entire release were eiected in thereverse manner in which the pressure was applied that cylinder 40 mightnot completely release, being cut off from release as soon as the piston25 covers the port t0 the discharge 85 on cylinder 24. The pressure ofcylinder 40, however, is released after that covering action by ventingthrough the check valve i9 to the'T-iitting l2 and by line 8i to themuiller. This arrangement insures complete release oi' air pressure incylinder Il. This arrangement also insures quicker release because thepressure in cylinder 24 initially releases through line 6l as well asline I6, T41 and check valve I9. 'I'hus the opening movement of thepress is accelerated, which is a further advantage of thischeck'controlled bypass inclusion.

Referring to the lower right-hand portions of Figs. 1 and 2, Vit will benoted that the T55a connects to a line 13 in turn connecting to apressure regulator and reducer arrangement, indicated generally by thenumeral 14, the low pressure discharge 15 of which constantly supplieslow pressure air to a valve structure indicated generally by the letterW. This low pressure air supply is for inflation purposes.

Omitting temporarily a detailed description of the buck B, it issuillcient to state that low pressure air is supplied to inflatableportions thereof by means of the conduit 1i. This conduit at its lowerend connects to the valve structure arrangement indicated generally bythe letter W. which includes two valves, the stems of which areindicated by the numerals 11 and 1I and associated therewith is amuilier 1I.

In juxtaposition to the two stems 11 and 18 is a control member pivotedat Il. 'Ihis cnntrol member'includes an adjustable abutment l2 and anadjustable abutment 83. The member l0 is connected at 84 to a rod Blandthe same is constrained toward the clockwise tilted position by means ofspring I6, see Figs. 1 and 2. This rod V85 at its upper end is hingedlyassociated with another rod'member 81 pivotally connected at 8l to anarm 89, also pivoted at 45 and carrying an abutment 0l. i

Carried by thc shaft l?. see the upper part of Figs. l. 2 and l2, is Inarm Il. Slidably mounted in the i'ree end thereof is a rod l2 havingenlax-ged portion at one end, the opposite end being associated with thepivotal connection Il between the rods Il and l1. A spring il isassociated with this connection. Thus, the rod lI-ll is a toggle typestructure and is controlled by the springs Il and 95, the abutment Iland the lever arm il. When the head is down or closed relative to thebuck, as shown in Fig. 2, the member l0 depresses the stem 11 of theintakel valve so that low pressure air is applied to conduit 1| toinflate the inflatable portions of the buck. Thus, not only is theremechanical pressure application between the head H and the buck B, butthere is applied to the garment therebetween an additional pressureincident to the application of low pressure fluid to the inflatableportions of the buck hereinafter to be described.

When the head is elevated into the position shown in Fig. 1, it will beobserved that the tail portion Ilia of the member It engages the stem'Il through the adjustable abutment Il and tht` intake valve stem 11 isnot actuated, or rather is released so that the intake valve thenautomatically moves to the closed position, cutting oif the air supplyto the inilatable portions of the buck. When the stem 1l of the exhaustvalve is thus depressed as described, the air in the lniiatable Portionsof the buck is released and vented through the muilier 19.

In Fig.^3 of the drawings, and the same is shown in elevation in Figs. 1and 2, it will be noted that positioned forwardly of the buck B is amultiple pressing arrangement and all of the same is carried by thesupport structure 22.

Referring to Fig. 3, C generally indicates the head structure of acollar press, D the cooperating buck structure. Positioned at each sidethereof is a pressing structure for a conventional cuff. Herein, thehead structure thereof is of tubular character and is indicated by theletter E and the buck portion thereof is indicated by F. Adjacentthereto and at each extreme end of the pressing element is a French cui!pressing structure, the head portion thereof being indicated by theletter J and the buck portion being indicated by K. The construction ofthe head and buck portions of the French cui! press portion issubstantially similar except for shape and dimension as the collarpressing portion C-D, the detailed construction oi which will behereinafter set forth more fully and which is illustrated in Adetail inFigs. 4 and 5.

'Ihe pressing arrangement E-F for conventional cuil's of a shirt isshown in detail in Fig. 2 and will be referred to more fullyhereinafter. For the purpose of the present description, it is to beunderstood that the several heads in sequence, J, E, C, E and J are allrelatively rigidly associated with the buck support structure 22 and arecarried thereby and are movable therewith.

Each of the buck structures K, F, D, F and K is independently mountedupon` an elongated support such as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 by thenumeral 98, each of the aforesaid being of tubular character and each ofthese elongated mem-I bers extends through the associated headstructure, as hereinafter pointed out, and each is slidably supportedand guided as at 91. The ends of the members $6, not connected to therespective bucks, are adJustably connected as at 98 to members carriedby a shaft l0. This shaft Il is connected by a link arrangement to theframe as at |0|. This linkage arrangement is of such character that as.,the support structure 22 is moved from the position shown in Fig. l tothe position shown in Fis. 2 and in the reverse direction, the head andbuck portions pviously designated by theletters C to F inclusive and Jto K maintain longitudinal alignment.

vWhen the head H- and buck B are positioned inopen relation as shown inFig. l, the several parallel support carried heads and bucks are inpressing position. When the head H and buck B are positioned, as shownin Fig. 2, the pressing position, said several heads and bucks arepositioned in extended relation or in non-pressing position. y

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valve structure W includes an intakecontrol valve having stem |02 and an exhaust valve having stem |03'.'I'here is also associated with the exhaust valve, the muiiier |04.Leading from the valve structure W and more especially the chamberarrangement controlled by the valves |2 and |03 is a supply line whichwill be referred to more fully herrelnafter.

Positioned adjacent the stems |02 and plvotally supported on the shaft|00 is the member 1x01 having the abutment portion |05 which mounts anadjustable abutment |00 for contact with stem |02. 'Member |01 alsomounts the adjustable abutment i |0 which is operatively associated withthe stem |03 at the p roper time. Pivotally connected at to the member|01 is the upper end of an adjustable rod ||2. The lower end thereof ispivotally connected to the rod portion ||3 at ||4. A spring ||5 isoperatively associated therewith. The rod I |3 is pivotally mounted atIIB and the arm ,Ill is rigid with` the rock shaft IIB or forlnssl bellcrank for the member ||3. The arm ||1 mounts the roller 0 adapted toengage the portion 3| b of the arm 3|.

When the support 22 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2, or bodypress closed posi tion to body press open position, see Fig. l, the armis, engaged and tilted clockwise to tilt member |01 clockwise to actuateintake valve |02 for supplying low pressure air to the line |05 and tothe several inilatable portions of the buck structures of the multiplepressing arrangement previously described.

Pivotally mounted at 23, see the lower lefthand portions of Figs. 1 and2, is a spring constrained foot pedal structure I I9 having a footengageable portion and an opposite operating armportion |2I pivotallyconnected at |22 to an adjustable rod structure |23 pivotally connectedto the junction ||4 of the pivotally connected rods ||2 and H3. When thepartsof the press are in the position shown in Fig. 1, it will beremembered that air is supplied by line |05 to the inilatable portionsof the several buck structures of the multiple pressing arrangement.When a suillcient pressing interval has elapsed, the operator bydepressing pedal IIS-|20 in opposition to the spring breaks the jointbetween members ||2 and ||3 in opposition to the spring ||5 and tiltsthe member |01 counter-clockwise. This permits valve |02, or the intakevalve to line |05, to close, cutting oil further' supply of air to saidline, and then depresses stem |03 of the exhaust valve to open the sameso that the pressure iiuid in the line |05 and the connected inflatablep0rtions of the bucks oi' the multiple pressing arrlxigement can beexhausted through the muiiler Reference will'now be had moreparticularly to Fig. 6, wherein there is diagrammatically illustratedair supply connections and control. In this figure. it will be notedthat the line |05 leads directly to the collar buck structure D and abranch |24 thereof connects to a three-way valve v |25 in turnconnectedv to two conduits |25 and to conduit |24. The majority oi'shirts, at the present time, are of the conventional cui! type. A fewshirts are of the French or double cui! type. Also, there are a fewshirts which have no cuiIs, but are cut short between the elbow andshoulder. l

When the operator encounters a French cuil.' shirt, the valve |25 ispositioned so that uid pressure from line |05 is supplied to line |25.When the operator encounters a shirt which has no cuis, as beforedescribed, which is very unusual. valve |25 is positioned in the closedposition so that neither conduit |23 nor |29 is sup- 'plied with iiuidpressure. Normally, valve |25 willbe positionedto supply fluid pressurefrom line |05 to lines |29, the conventional cud' bucks. Thus, selectivecontrol is possible and air pressure fluid is conserved or wastage iseliminated.

The several heating connections to the bucks and heads will be describedmore fully in connection with the specific description of the sameunless obvious.

Reference will rst be had to Fig. 2 wherein the body or bosom buck andhead is shown in transverse section. Then reference will be had to Fig.3 wherein the conventional cuil buckand press is shown infrontelevation. Then reference will be had to Figs. 4 `and 5 wherein thecollar press is shown in elevation and central section respectively.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 2 and the buck B and head H in saidfigure. The head H includes a pressing face |40 and a chamber |4|,supplied with steam, serves to heat the same. Surrounding the face |40is a skirt |42 of appreciable depth and the inner surface |43 thereofforms a continuation of pressing face |40. 'Ihe chamber i4| does notextend into the skirt but may do so whenever desired o'r required. Theadjustable mounting of the head has been previously referred to andbrieily described hereinbefore.

The buck B is adjustably supported at |44 upon support 22. The buckincludes a rigid 'body portion |45 chambered at |46 for heatingpurposes. if desired. The outer surface, with modification.substantially .conforms to the pressing surface of head H but isappreciably smaller so that padding and inflatable portions may beinterposed between the buckand head.

Herein, the lower portion of the buck body includes a depending skirt|41 terminating in an outwardy projecting ange |43 which' seats with- Ywhether there be mechanical pressure exerted therebetween or not. Sincethe skirt arrangements are flared outwardly and downwardly to a slightdegree, there will be such mechanical pressure exerted but of relativelyminor character. The bag expansion insures adequate kpres- Y sure. 'Iheskirt supported bag or bags can only expand outwardly and upwardly dueto flange |49, thus insuring side pressingl and corner. or filletpressing without rough drying" eiects. Y

The padding may be relieved where desired and an air bag includedtherein as indicated at |52. Over all bags and padding is the coverfabric |53. This bag |52 is of suillcient length to accommodate thepleats and of sufficient width to accommodate that' shirt pocket or;pockets. This bag when inflated naturally exerts a pressure in. additionto the vmechanical pressure between the elements and in this way themultiple thickness portions of the shirt front can be properly pressed.Bag |52 need not be longitudinally coextensive with the long dimensionofthe buck unless desired.

Reference will now be had to the multiple press arrangement immediatelybelow and forwardl of and movable with the buck B and supporte bystructure 22. As previously briefly described, the multiple pressarrangement includes two French cuipresses, two conventional cui pressesand a collar press. The latter is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Theconventional cuil' press is illustrated in Fig. 2 to which reference nowwill be had. s

A member 99 at opposite ends is connected to the ends of links |00pivot'ed at |6| to the. frame of the machine. lEach ouf! press includesa bearing 99 pivotally mounted on shaft 99 parallel to the front of themachine. Threaded into the forward end of member 99 is the rear end oftube 96 plugged or sealed as at |55. An air connection |56 connectsindirectly to 'supply line |65, as shown in Fig. 6.

Rigidly clamped to the support structure 22 is the anchorage |51 whichadjustably mounts as at |58 the head structure E, same being tubular andhollow. The chamber |59 thereof is adapted to receive and dischargesteam from ports |60 for drying purposes. The inner pressing face istapered as at |6|.

The auxiliary support or anchorage |51 includes an elongated bearing 91which is slidably associated with tube 96 and said tube extends throughthe tubular head E and when this press is open normally projects beyondsame and supports at its outer free end, the conventional cuff buck F.

This cuff buck includes a rigid body portion |62 of light metal, wood orsimilar material rigidly secured to said tube 96. This body is envelopedby an inatable member |63, Clampling heads |64 and |65 secure the ends|66 to the body ends. One or more passages |61 exat |99. The heads areretained in clamping relation as at |19 and |1|. A combination guide|12, etc.. to facilitate cui! and gusset application to'buck F isthreaded asl at |19 upon the free end of the tube 96.

As hereinafter set forth, the cuff is mounted on buck F when the partsare positioned as shown in Fig. 2. When the buck F and head E aretelescopically associated together, as shown in Fig. l, pressure isautomatically applied to the bag portion and the cuff and gusset isdried and pressed. Then the pressure is released manually orautomatically and the press opened as illustrated in Fig. V2. Thissequence is desirable to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of thecuff and prevent wrinkling thereof. Since the structure is of taperedcharacter, for some purposes, the aforesaid cycle may be variedSlightly- Reference will now be had to Figs. i and 5 whereinv there isillustratedther details of the collar press. It is to be understood thatsince the French cuff press is similar thereto, that the followingdescription of the collar press is substantially applicable to theFrench cuff press except as to modications of size and shape and airconnections and individual control as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6.

Parts 99, 96, |51, |59 and |55 of the collar press are identical toparts previously described in the conventional cuff press. The collarhead C is carried on support structure 22 by the portions |51|59 andincludes an arch shaped arrangement having in this instance an arcuateinterior pressing face |15. The head is reenforced as at |16 and theseveral chambers |11 communicate as at |19, |19 and |90 indicate thesteam inlet and outlet, respectively, to the head for heating purposes.

Extending `through the head, in a manner similar to the conventionalcuff press, is tube 96 and mounted on the forward `end thereof is thecollar buck D. This collar buck is hollow, as at |9|, for lightness butis reenforced at |92.

'Ihe bottom includes the central ilat portion |93 downwardly andoutwardly projecting portions l9l, and outwardly directed portions |95parallel to portion |93. The outer ends of portions `|65 are connectedto the arch shaped portion-|96, reenforced by members |62 and conformingto but spaced from surface |16 when the press is closed. The lower outerends of member |96, or portions |95, are extended sidewardly as at |91but terminate short of meeting engagement with surface |15 when thepress is closed. Side plates |99 connect the superposed front and rearedges of the bottom and member |96 and project outwardly, as shown at|99, terminating short of surface |15 when the press is closed.

These outwardly and upwardly projecting portions with member |96 form aseat to receive an inflatable bag |99 connected as at |9| to tube 96plugged or sealed as at |92. Means |93 locates the rear end of the buckD on tube 96. The washer and nut |94 retain the buck D on the end oftube 96.

A connection |95 is secured to the lower ends of head C and forms asupport for spaced plates |96 supporting shaft I 91 upon which, betweenthev ears on plates |96, is mounted a roller |99. Said roller is engagedby bottom central portion |99 of the buck D when the press is beingopened and closed and when closed.

When the press is closed, the bag |99 is infiated. Flanges |31 and |55confine such expansion and direct same toward the pressing face of headC. A fabric |53 covers the buck pressing portion.. l

Reference will now be had to Fig. 'I and in said figure the conventionalcuff buck F has shown applied thereto the cuff M with gusset N of ashirt sleeve 0. Encircling the tube 95 at the rear end of the buck is aspring wire or like looplll for mounting purposes. The extension 35|includes a lateral portion 352 terminating in an |.shaped free end353-354, the latter having engagement with the connection of button P ofthe cui! for holding this end of the cuil to the buck and preventingdropping of the cuil therefrom since Fig. 7 is a view of the bucklooking at the same approximately from the side. The aforesaid.therefore, indicates that the end of the cui! having buttonhole Q liesuppermost so no retention is desired therefor. This cui! retaining clipmay be readily manipulated and only leaves a line impression in the cui!which is subsequently concealed when the cui! is buttoned.

In Fig. '1, the air bag is shown provided with a sealed in socket 3|5and same is positioned approximately in alignment with the vjunction ofthe cuil M with the sleeve. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted thatthe sealed-in metallic socket 3|5 yieldingly receives the midportion 3Hof a resilient flexible clip having oppositely directed portions 3|2terminating in curved ends 3|3.

This clip may be forcibly and readily applied to x and detached from thesocket 3|5. This clip can be swivelled in its socket or the free endscan be elevated as desired or required to apply the cuff to the buck andretain the cuff thereon for pressing purposes.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 9 and 10 wherein the body buck B issomewhat diagrammatically illustrated. This buck is centrally supportedand on structure 22 so that shirts can be applied to the buck fromeither end. As previously mentioned, the width of the buck with sideportions is such that at least half and preferably more than that amountofv a shirt is pressed at one pressing application. Similarly, thebucklength is suiliclent, as shown in Fig. 9,

to accommodate simultaneously two average length shirts so that at onepressing operation,

lin effect, the entire body of ashirt is pressed.

It will be noted in Fig. 1 that the near end of the head H (the same asthe right end in Fig. 9) is recessed to expose the collar portion of theright-hand shirt. The buck B is provided with a collar form at theright-hand end and same is suitably secured to the buck so that thecollar is supported by the form in offset and depending relation forproperly pressing the shirt back R.

Since another collar form is at the opposite end of buck B, but of morecomplicated form, no further description or illustration of the rightend collar support form is believed necessary.

Mounted in the left half of vthe buck pressing face and approximatelycentrally thereof and closer to the middle ofthe buck than the left endis a flexible-clip 335, the midportion being carried by member 33|,yieldingly anchored by member 332 to the buck B.

A shirt is mounted on the buck from the left end and with the ironthalf, indicated by S, exposed. It has pleats T and a pocket U. The layis made with the collar upon the left-hand collar form, hereinafter tobe described. The front is stretched to the right with pleats parallelas shown.' The clip 335 lying longitudinal is escaneo then elevated andturned at right angles to over'- lie the two pleats as shown. This holdsthe shirt to the buck and prevents either side from dropping oi! or downfrom the buck tothe platform Z, not shown in Figs. l and 2 forclearness.

Reference will now be had to both Figs. 9 and 10 wherein the left-handcollar form and top bosom clip is illustrated in detail. Extendingoutwardly from the block 355, secured as at 35| to the buck B, is aninverted U-shaped frame having the midportion 352 and sides 353 extending downwardly and outwardly as at 354. A lever 355 having hand knob 355at one end is mounted on shaft 351 mounted in sides 353. The other endof lever 355 is connected at 358 to a link 359 pivotally connected at35| to an arm 355 pivoted on shaft 352 carried by the outer ends of ears354.

^ The free end of arm 355 is directed rearwarddiateLv underlie the same,as shown by the full lines in Fig. 10. Note from Fig. 9, form 355 isU-shaped and inverted. Pivotally carried on shaft 363, in turn carriedby the free end of arms 355 is a cross member 364. This'may have asuitable form. Herein, it has a straight formation. the same, however,may be curved upwardly at its outer ends, if desired.

When the collar Y of the shirt is mounted on the form and the bosomstretched as illustrated in Fig. 9 and clamped, the member 355 iselevated to dotted line position sufficient that gravity eilective uponlink 359 and arms 365, is sufflcient to hold the lever 355 tiltedupwardly and the member 354 in lowered position, the latter To preventthe collar dropping, etc., an additional clip is provided. This is aT-shaped member 315 secured at .one end at 31| to the midportion 352.'I'he wings 312 extend laterally and are adapted to overlie the shirt atthe collar portion and yieldingly retain the collar and shirt upon theform and buck respectively, the anchorage 31| lying below theoverlapping tips of the unfolded collar Y., as shown in Fig. 9, andportion 315 extending through the opening or space formed when the tipsbut partially overlap. Member 31|-312 is resilient and yielding- 1yciamps the shirt in position as iuustrad.'

Reference will now be had to Figs. 11 and l2. Reference to Fig. l2 issolely for the purpose of illustrating the operation of control 35 forthe upper set of valves in valve structure W as same has been previouslydescribed in detail.

In Fig. 11there is illustrated two modiiications of the inventionillustrated broadly in Figs. l and 2. It will be remembered the lowerset of valves in valve structure W was operated by the foot treadle andarm 3|. In Fig. 11, like numerals indicate like parts. `In Fig. 11, arm3| again operates rod ||2||3, asf previously described.

However, in the present form, the treadle air release is omitted and itsequivalentis a handle operation. The mechanism includes an arm 555carried by shaft 52 actuated by arm 53 of the handle structure. The endof arm 52 connects aseasso member lf2-U8. Abutment 606 is the other andoperative end of bell crank 608.

When 63 is tilted downwardly, arm 600 tilts f upwardly and, therefore,the bell crank is tilted counter-clockwise to break the toggle by theabutment 606 in opposition .to spring ||6. When broken. spring |||apulls down onrocker |01 for exhaust valve |08 opening. This abutmentaction is a push instead of a pull from the pedal as in Figs. 1 and A2.The effect kis the same. The proper timing is determined by the positionof arm 680 on shaft 62 and arm v608 on shaft 604 plus a linearadjustment in rod 60| notshown for clearness. l

When the "Join is broken and the handle released, etc., the parts assumea convenient position of non-interfering character so that the valvesoperate as before described.

Another modification, shown in Fig. 11 and briefly referred tohereinbefore, is for simplicity and clearnessillustrated in Fig. 11.'I'his is the addition of snubbers for snubbing the movements of thebuck B or head H or both. A snubber 6|0 shown below valve W in Fig. 11is provided with operating arm 6H connected at 6|2 to rigid link 6|3connected to connection 36. This is the head snubber.

Snubber 5M includes arm 5|6 connected at 6|6a to rigid link 5 I6connected as at 5|'| to bell crank or arm 3|. This is the tiltable bucksnubber. Each rigid link is, for simplicity, shown ofnon-adjustablelength but it is to be understood same preferably is ofadjustable character, such' ually reduce and finally prevent properexpan-v sion when low pressure is applied to the expanslble orinatableelement for pressing purposes. The present invention, therefore,contemplates providing an intermediate cover which is somewhat elasticyet which will have direct contact with the starched areas, and thusprevent starch clogging of the cover fabric |60 so that the latter willfunction properly together with the in' atable portion for innation anddeation.

` Herein, the cuff buck F supported by the pipe 86 and covered by thefabric |68 is as before retained by the nut |10. Ahousing 603, aperturedat 606, is mounted `on conduit 86. Encircling shaft 96 is the element,to-wit: the plate that retains the fabric and inflatable portion uponthe rigid body of the buck at the right hand endthereof. Encircling thiselement in much the same manner as the clip shownA in Fig. 7 encirclessuch an anchorage, is Athe clip 600 herein, and two upwardly extendingends 60| project upwardly and outwardlythrough the opening 604 andthence are directed angularlyl of such extending portions as indicatedat 602 in substantial parallel relation. This is a exible wire element.An expansible fabric sleeve-like member 605 is seamed' at two adjacentends, forming hems 606 of loop character into which extend the free endsof the resilient wire arms 602. This fabric, as before stated, is ofsemi-elastic type in that it will expand and contract when the buck isexpanded and contracted. Furthermore, the anchorage is of such characterthat the two arms 602 of the wire anchor arrangement can move apart ortowards each other in the expansion and contraction of the buck.

It will be quite apparent that any starch which is transferred from thestarched cuffs to the cui buck is transferred to this fabric 605arranged vin sleeve formation upon the cuff buck. When sumcient starchhas been accumulated so that the desired pressing is not effected, thefabric 606 may be readily slipped from the wires 602 andy a clean fabricor sleeve-like member replace the starch accumulated member.

Various other cuff buck protectors of quick detachable and replaceablecharacter may be utilized in lieu of the foregoing. However, this formillustrated in Fig. 13 is arranged to expose the socket 8 |0 for use ofthe clip shown in Fig. 8 and,

also, there may be supported adjacent the connection of shaft 96 to thecuff buck in the manner shown in Fig. 7, the angular type cuff retainerillustrated in Fig. 7 and all without interference by the aforementionedcuff buck protector shown in Fig. 13.

As previously'stated, the primary purpose of this cuff buck protector isto insure the proper pressure application for pressing purposes and 0the cuff protector prevents clogging -of the pores of the fabric |68with starch, thereby insuring4 that the cuff buck will expand andcontract, as previously described.

Operation and process The operation is as follows:

The press is normally open and air bags are in deflated condition. Theoperator pulls down the handle which closes body press and opens collarand cuff press. 'I'he operator makes lay of the collar and cuffs onnumber one shirt and then' raises the handle which opens the bosom headand closes collar and cuff heads. After allowing suilicient drying time,the operator depresses the foot pedal thereby'deflating collar and cuilbags and then pulls down on handle to close body head v andexpose thecollar and cuff bucks for collar press and iniiating bags on the collarand and cuff removal. The lay of the collar and sus of the second shirton collar and cuff buck is then made and the handle l pushed up to openthe body head for again closing collar and cuff cuff press.

Operator now makes first lay of back of number one shirt at right end ofbody buck, by placing collar around vertical collar supporting block atlower center of right end of body buck and stretching shirt from rightend towards center of buck. Operator now depresses pedal deflatingcollar and cuff press and pulls down on handle, thereby closing bodyhead for pressing back of number one shirt and exposing the collar andcuffs of second shirt. Operator now removes second shirt and lays itaside but conveniently close and applies the collar and cuffs of a thirdshirt to the collar and cuil! press, then raising the handle to openbody head. Operator now removes first shirt from right end of buck whereback and part of'yoke have been pressed and transfers this shirt to theleft end of the body buck with the pocket and pleat up for bosompressing. rst placing the open ends of collar around collar supportingblock vertically positioned at lower left center of body buck and thenVof buck where ends of shirt are clamped in stretched position forperfect finishing.

The operator then picks up the second shirt and makesy the back lay atright end of body buck as previously described. depresses foot pedal todeiiate the collar and cui! bags and' brings down the handle to closebody head on first and second shirts and open the collar and cuil' pressfor third shirt exposure. The third shirt collar and cuffs are thenremoved and collar and cuffs of fourth shirt are then placed on collarand cuil buck.

The handle is again raised to open body press and close collar and cuffpress on fourth shirt. Number one shirt is removed from left of the bodypress and passed to operator for sleeve iinishing and subsequentfolding. Number two shirt is removed from right end of body press andpositioned at left end of body press like number one shirt, aspreviously described. Number three shirt is now picked up and placed atright end of body press as previously described for the number one andnumber two shirts for back finishing.

The body press is of suilicient length to accommodate two average sizeshirts. Only in ex- .ceptional shirts will the tails of the shirtsoverlap at the center of the body press and this is not objectionable.

It has been ascertained that an average competent shirt folder canhandle in excess of 100, and usually 125,.shirts per hour where no handtouch-up is required. Inasmuch as each sleeving operation, which isperformed by sliding the sleeve over an elongated. vertically extending,tapered, heated form. requires two or three seconds. it will be obviousthat the shirt folder will have plenty of time to remove each shirt fromthe left end of the body press and place the sleeves thereof on thesleeve former, which sleeve former is of double sleeve type. Followingsleeving. the shirt folder removes the then finished shirt and folds thesame provided touch-up is not required. The first operator, it will benoted. merely applies the collars and cuils to the collar and cuffpress. transfers the shirt when so finished to the righthand end of thebosom press after having previ-- ously removed at the proper time theright-hand back pressed shirt to the left-hand portion of the body pressfor front pressing.

The estimated time of shirt operation. after the initial cycle iscompleted on the ilrst shirt and the other shirts follow insuccession.isapproximately 40 seconds for the rst or main operator per shirt. Theestimated shirt production per machine. therefore, is approximately f90per hour or in the neighborhood of 40 to 45 per operator for one pressunit per hour. Present methods average or less.` A few exceptionaloperators with the modern pressing machinery have been able to produceto 30 shirts per hour. The efliciency of the present machine. therefore,is approximately 200% compared to present standard modern machineetllciency or double the production rate thereof.

From the previous description and the drawings. it will also be observedthat the floor' space required for the present machine is not excessiveand is very materially less than the requirement for the aforesaidpresent modern machinery.

Furthermore.v the actual cost of the present invention calculated on itsproduction basis is very materiallyless kthan that of the cost ofpresent standard machines required to produce an equivalent number ofshirts.

The present machine has the advantage. excluding the sleeve operationwherein dampening matassa is relatively unimportant. `that the 'rapidityof operations and the reduced number of operations is such that adampened shirtcan be completely ironed. including sleeving. withoutvrequiring any intermediate dampening, a customary lprocedure andnormally required with present standard shirt pressing machinery.

High speed shirt pressing machinery at present employed requires fouroperators and from eight to eleven pressing operations. whereas from thepreceding description. including the sleeving as one operation, onlyfoury operations are required for complete ironing of a shirt. therebyf'reducing the number oi' operations by half or more. This accounts forthe high production-rate mentioned hereinbefore.

With standard shirt pressing machinery. the speed of any unit isdetermined by the slowest operator .of the four. In the v'presentinvention. the speed of the unit is determined only by the number one.operator since the shirt folder has ample time to perform all herworkand, in addition. can, if desired. assist the first operator such asmaking lthe bosom lay but more particularly in removing the bosompressed shirt from the bodypress. v f

Herein, the 'terniy bosom and body have been used interchangeably inreferring to that portion of the press upon which-the back and bosom ofthe shirt is pressed. v

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detailin thel foregoing descriptiOn. the same is to'be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein, as wellas others which willreadily suggest themselves to persons skilled. in this art, are allconand means for moving both elements towards and away from each other.said elements when operatively engaged. a predetermined position andbeing arranged for pressing purposes and when in disengaged position thebuck element isl positioned forwardly of and below that predeterminedposition for garment laying and removal purposes and the head element isthen positioned rearwardly and upwardly of that predetermined positionfor operator clearance.

2. A press as defined by claim l characterized by one ofthe pressingelements being of infiatable surface pressing character. and means forinflating same when vthe elements are operatively engaged.

3. A press as defined by claim 1 characterized by one of the pressingelements being lof inflatable surface pressing character. and means forinilating same when the Velements are operatively engaged. one of thecooperating elements ben'g arranged to nest the other of the elementswhen said elements are operatively engaged and for limiting the extentof ination and insuring complete pressing contact of the'elementpresslng surfaces.

4. In a press adapted for laundry `service the combination of a base,a'pressing head element pivoted thereon. a support therebeneath andtmably mounted on the base, a pressing buck element carried by andmovable with said support. operative engagement of the lelements etfecting pressing, a second pressing head element carried by and movablewith the-support, a 'second pressing buck element carried by and movablewith the support and movable upon the support into and out of operativeengagement with the second mentioned head element, the operativeengagement being of sequential'character.

5. A press as defined by claim 4, characterized by one element oi' eachcooperating pair ot eiements being of inatable character, one element ofthe cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair.

6. A press as defined by claim 1, characterized by one of the pressingelements being of innatable surface pressing character, means forinnating same when the elements are operatively engaged, and meanscontrolling inriation and denation, inflation automatically occurringwhen the elements are in registration.

7. A press as dened'byclaim 4, characterised by one element `of eachcooperating pair of elements being of inatable character, one element ofthe cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperating pair,and means controlling the imiation and deation of each inflatableelement, iniiation automatically occurring when the paired elements arein position for pressing.

8. A press as dened by claim 4, characterized by the addition ofindependent uid operable means for tilting the support and the firstmentioned head element, and control means for the fluid pressureoperable means.

9. A press as denned by claim 4, characterized by the addition ofindependent uid operable means for tilting the support and the firstmentioned head element, control means for the fluid pressure operablemeans, and manually operable means for said control means. v

10. A press as dened by claim 4, characterized by the addition oi'independent iiuid operable means for tilting the support and the iirstmentioned head element, and control means for the iluid pressureoperable means, one of said independent iiuld operable means havingselective sequential connection to the other for timed operationtherebetween.

11. A press as defined by claim 4, characterized by the addition ofindependent fluid operable means for tilting the support and the first fmentioned head element, control means f or the fluid pressure operablemeans, one of said independent uid operable means having selectivesequential connection to the other for timed operation therebetween,and` a check controlled bypass around the first actuated duid operablemeans Iordirectly releasing the last ,actuated` uid operable means tosecure initial release of the later prior to release of the iirstactuated pressure operable means.

12. A press as denned by claim 4, characterized by the addition ofindependent iluid operable .means for tilting the support and the rstmentioned head element, control means for the iluid pressure orablemeans, and independent yielding means normally opposing each duidpressure operable means.V

13. A pressasdeilned by claim 4, characterized by' the addition otindependent iluid .operable means for tilting the support and the nrstmentioned head element, control means for the fluid pressure operablemeans, independent yielding means normally opposing each iluid pressureoperable means. and a snubber structure for each iluid operable meansand associated yielding means for the purpose described.

14. A press as defined by claim4,characterized by one element oi eachcooperating pair of eleoperable means operation, a pressure regulatorreducing the source pressure for the inflation of the elements,independent controls for said innatable elements, and control means forthe independent liuid operable means.

15. A press as defined by claim 4, character,- ized by one element ofeach cooperating pair oi elements being of inflatable character, oneelement of the cooperating pair nesting the other element of thecooperating pair, independent fluid operable means for tilting thesupport and the tiltable pressing head, aI common source of fluidpressure for inatable element iniiation and iluid operable meansoperation, a pressure regulator reducing the source pressure fortheination of the elements, independent controls for said innatableelements, and control means for the independent fluid operable means,said independent control means having automatic sequential operationincident to first mentioned movable element and support movement.

16. A press as dened by claim 4, characterized by one element of eachcooperating pair oi elements being -of inflatable character, one elementof the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperatingpair. independent fluid operable means for tilting the support and thetiltabie pressing head. a common source of fluid pressure for inflatableelement inflation and uid operable means operation, a pressure regu-ylator reducing the source pressure for the iniiation of the elements,independent controls for said inatable elements, control means for theindependent fluid operable means, said independ control means havingautomatic sequential operation incident to rst mentioned movable elementand support movement, and manually operable means for said controlmeans.

17. In combination a support structure, a plurality of recessed pressinghead elements supported thereby, and with the recesses arranged inparallel, a plurality of buck elements, complementary to and receivableby the head elements and in parallel relation, means for moving one ofsaid last mentioned group of elements relative to the cooperatingcomplementary member for nesting the buck in the head for pressingpurposes, said means being connected to all elements of one group andarranged for alternate nesting operation, and inatable means on each ofthe elements of one group and arranged for selective inflation when theiniiatable element and the supportingveiement is nestingly associatedwith the complementary element.

18. In combination a support structure. a plurality of recessed pressinghead elements supported thereby, and with the recesses arranged inparallel, a plurality of buck elements, complementary tol and receivableby the head elements and connected together in parallel relation. meansfor moving one group of. elements relative to the other for nesting thebucks in the heads for pressing purposes. including a correspondingnumber of elongated members, each supporting at one end a pressing buckelement and connected together at the opposite end and extending throughthe cooperating head element.

19. A press as defined by claim 18, characterized by the addition vof abase upon which the support structure is pivotally supported, guidemeans upon the latter for the elongated members, and means connectingthe connected ends of the elongated members `to the base. tiltingmovement of the support structure upon the base eii'ecting nesting andseparation of the cooperative complementary elements.

20. A press as defined by claim 18, characterized by the addition oi' abase upon which the supportJ structure is pivotally supported, guidemeans upon the latter for the elongated members, means connecting theconnected ends of the elongated members to the base, tilting movement ofthe support structure upon the base effecting nesting and separation ofthe cooperative complementary elements, and inflatable means on each ofthe elements of one group arranged for inflation when the groups arenestingly associated together.

21. In a press a head element having a pressing face of concavetransverse outline, a buck element having a complementary pressing face,means supporting one element ior movement relative to the other elementand longitudinally of the axis of said elements including roller meanscarried by one element for engagement by the other element for thesupport thereof when the complementary faces are in registering positionfor pressing.

22. In a press a head element having a pressing face of concavetransverse outline, a buck element having a complementary pressing face,means supporting one element for movement relative to the other elementand longitudinally of the axis of said elements including roller meanscarried by one element for engagement by the other element for thesupport thereof when the complementary faces are in registering positionfor pressing, and inflatable means carried by one element and inflatablewhen the faces are in registering position for pressing.

23. In a press a tubular head element, a buck element having acomplementary conformation, said elements being arranged for telescopicassociation and disassociation, inflatable means carried by one elementand inflatable when the elements are telescoped for pressing and, meanssupporting at one end the buck element and positioned within the tubularelement, and means supporting the tubular` element, and guidinglysupporting the last mentioned support means.

24. In a press the combination with a pressing head element, and apressing buck element, one of said elements .having an inatable portion,the other member exerting an opposing pressure for limiting inflatableportion expansion and attaining pressing operation, of a combinationpress guard and manual control, means for bringing the elements vintopressing positions and removing same therefrom and controlled by saidcontrol, and means controlled by the control andone of said elements forcontrolling thel time of inflation and deation of the liniia'atableportion in timed relation to relative positioning of said elements, saidsecond 'mentioned means being of toggle type and normally constrained toaligned position and positively movable into angular position inopposition to the constraint.

25. In a press adapted for laundry service, the combination of a base,a'pressing head eleazi-:spec

ment pivoted thereon, a pressing buck element pivoted on'the base, meansfor moving both elements towards and away from each other for mechanicalpressure pressing therebetween when operatively engaged, one of thepressing elements being of inflatable surface pressing character, meansfor inflating same when the elements are operatively engaged,4 and meanscontrolling inflation and deflation, inflation automatically occurringwhen the elements are in registration, deation automatically occurringincident to initial operation 9i the mst-mentioned means.

26. -A press as defined by claim 4,characterxzed by one element of eachcooperating pair of elements being of inflatable character, one elementof the cooperating pair nesting the other element Vof the cooperatingpair, means controlling the inflation and deflation of each inflatableelement, inflation automatically occurring when the paired elements arein position for pressing, the control means for each inflatable elementbeing independent oi each other and of singular character and manuallyoperable in one direction and automatically operable in the oppositedirection, movement in one direction being for iniiation and movement inthe opposite direction being for deflation.

27. A press as denned by claim 4, lcharacter ized by one element of euchcooperating pair of elements being of inflatable character, one elementof the cooperating pair nesting the other element of the cooperatingpair, and control means oi' segmental automatic operable type for eachcooperating pair of elements. and for automatically infiating anddeilating the inflatable element of each cooperating pair.

28. A press as deilned by claim 4, characterized by the addition ofindependent bumper` structures for the support and the rst mentionedhead element and operatively connected to the same for the purposedescribed.

29. In a pressing machine, adapted for laundry purposes having arecessed pressing element, the combination of a second pressing elementsubstantially corresponding in outline and contour to the recess, saidsecond element including inflatable portions' nested in the elementconfronting surface of the second element and confined against extremeexpansion by the rst element, and resilient padding between theinflatable portions and supported by the second element and filling outthe pressing surface thereof whereby said second element has aconfronting resilient surface completely conforming to that of the-.rstelement for' operative engagement therewith.

. 30. In a press a tubular head element, a buck element having acomplementary conformation, said elements being arranged for telescopicassociation for pressing and disassociation for garment application andremoval, inflatable means carried by one element, means forautomaticallyinilating the inflatable means and only when the elementsare telescoped, the other element opposing and limiting the expansion ofthe iniiatable means, the article to be pressed being at that timepositioned between the inflatable and said other opposing means, meansrelatively stationarily supporting one element, other means supportingthe other element. and means effective upon said last mentioned othermeans for enecting telescopic association and disassociation of saidelements. y i

31. A shirt press including a pressing head member having acomparatively large area pressure surface for shirt bosom and" sidepressing, a buck member having a complementary pressing surface, meansmoving at least one member into engagement with the other for 'exertingmechanical pressure between the surfaces, inatable means included in oneof the members and forming a part of the pressing surfa'ce thereof, saidiniiatable means having a position therein corresponding to shirt pleatand pocket portions of a shirt bosom when a shirt is laid betweensurface for pressing, and means for iniiating ythe inilatable means whenthe members are in pressing engagement for applying additional andinflation pressure application to the pleat and pocket portions of theshirt and deiiating the inatable means prior to termination oi'mechanical pressing engagement between members.

HARRY D. FORSE.

